Thank you for this! My husband was a university librarian for 45 years. The amount of work is incredible, and it is too bad that the public doesn’t recognize it. Librarians are, I believe, ministers to the soul. ❤️
I am also not a credentialed librarian. I used to reflexively correct people who called me a librarian, but now I reserve that for people with whom I expect to have an ongoing relationship of some sort. I have been working at Berkeley Public Library for almost 20 years. I run programs; I man the info desk. As far as the library user is concerned, I am a librarian.
You are absolutely correct that, to most patrons, the distinction between a credentialed librarian and a library worker like you and me is not a very meaningful one. And I love that library work continues to be a profession in which an advanced degree is not an absolute requirement for many, many jobs. If I'd realized earlier that I wanted to be a librarian, I might well have tackled an MLS program. But at this point in life, with two kids in college, I just can't see spending heaps of money on the degree, when I can already do the job I love without it. Thanks for reading, Glenn.
'the library is shifting arithmetic practiced with subjectivity' urgh what a line! I have to admit I don't usually love form of this sort, but you've convinced me otherwise. I've never read a poem in this form which has so completely transformed me into the experience of the poem. Incredible. Also, thank you so much your kind words, the sentiment is returned.
You know, before I wrote it I really had no interest in concrete poems either. But sometimes a poem just knows how it wants to be written and doesn't give you much choice. I'm glad to be able to share it here. It's hard to submit poems with tricky formatting to journals. Thanks so much for reading!
I have really enjoyed reading this issue of your newsletter. I love how you played with structure in your concrete poem. Particularly the line 'to ease the/tension/on/one and tighten the gaps in another'.
I don't play enough with the structure, and you've inspired me to have a go! I also need to check out pantoum. I've not come across it before, so it'll be a delight to try!
Thank you for this! My husband was a university librarian for 45 years. The amount of work is incredible, and it is too bad that the public doesn’t recognize it. Librarians are, I believe, ministers to the soul. ❤️
I absolutely love knowing this about your husband. It makes so much sense. "Ministers to the soul" is a perfect sentiment. Thanks for reading.🤗
I am also not a credentialed librarian. I used to reflexively correct people who called me a librarian, but now I reserve that for people with whom I expect to have an ongoing relationship of some sort. I have been working at Berkeley Public Library for almost 20 years. I run programs; I man the info desk. As far as the library user is concerned, I am a librarian.
You are absolutely correct that, to most patrons, the distinction between a credentialed librarian and a library worker like you and me is not a very meaningful one. And I love that library work continues to be a profession in which an advanced degree is not an absolute requirement for many, many jobs. If I'd realized earlier that I wanted to be a librarian, I might well have tackled an MLS program. But at this point in life, with two kids in college, I just can't see spending heaps of money on the degree, when I can already do the job I love without it. Thanks for reading, Glenn.
We LOVE the library! Beautifully structured poem. ❤️
Thanks for reading! I cannot say I am surprised that you are a library enthusiast.💙😉
'the library is shifting arithmetic practiced with subjectivity' urgh what a line! I have to admit I don't usually love form of this sort, but you've convinced me otherwise. I've never read a poem in this form which has so completely transformed me into the experience of the poem. Incredible. Also, thank you so much your kind words, the sentiment is returned.
You know, before I wrote it I really had no interest in concrete poems either. But sometimes a poem just knows how it wants to be written and doesn't give you much choice. I'm glad to be able to share it here. It's hard to submit poems with tricky formatting to journals. Thanks so much for reading!
Thank you for sharing about my prompt.
I have really enjoyed reading this issue of your newsletter. I love how you played with structure in your concrete poem. Particularly the line 'to ease the/tension/on/one and tighten the gaps in another'.
I don't play enough with the structure, and you've inspired me to have a go! I also need to check out pantoum. I've not come across it before, so it'll be a delight to try!